Stillman College
| File:StillmanSeal.png Stillman College Seal | |
| Type | Private, HBCU |
|---|---|
| Established | 1876 |
| Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) UNCF |
| President | Dr. Ernest McNealey |
| Students | 1,500 |
| Location | , , 33°11′53″N 87°35′7″W / 33.19806°N 87.58528°W |
| Campus | 105-acre (0.42 km2) |
| Colors | Navy Blue and Vegas Gold [1] |
| Nickname | Tigers and Lady Tigers [1] |
| Affiliations | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference[1] |
| Website | www.stillman.edu |
| File:StillmanTigersLogo.png | |
Stillman College is a historically black liberal arts college founded in 1876 and located in the West Tuscaloosa area of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Academics and demographics
The 105-acre (0.42 km2) college campus offers programs of study leading to the bachelor's degree. The Division of Arts and Sciences includes: Art, Biology, Business with concentrations in Accounting, Marketing, and Management; English, History, Mathematics, Music, and Nursing. The Division of Education includes: Psychology, Elementary Education and Health & Physical Education.
History
Stillman College, authorized by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1875, held its first classes in 1876 and was chartered as a legal corporation by the State of Alabama in 1895. At that time, the name was changed from Tuscaloosa Institute to Stillman Institute. The institute was a concept initiated by the Reverend Dr. Charles Allen Stillman, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa. The mandate for the Institution expanded over the years and it acquired its present campus tract of over 100 acres (0.40 km2). A junior and senior high school was organized and the Institute established a junior college program, which was accredited in 1937. In addition, between 1930 and 1946, it operated a hospital and nurse training school.
Under the administration of Dr. Samuel Burney Hay (1948-1965), the school sought to expand into a senior liberal arts institution and in 1948 the name was officially changed to Stillman College. The following year, Stillman expanded into a four-year college and graduated its first baccalaureate class in 1951. The College was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1953. Under Dr. Hay, seven new buildings were constructed: a gymnasium, a library, an administration-classroom building, two women’s residence halls, a prayer chapel, and a student center.
Dr. Harold N. Stinson (1967-1980) was the first African American to assume the presidency. Under his dynamic leadership, new programs designed to improve educational quality were instituted, and the physical plant was expanded with the addition of two men’s residence halls, faculty apartments, a maintenance building, and a mathematics-science center. Snedecor Hall, Batchelor Building, and Birthright Auditorium were renovated.
Constance M. Rizzi (1974-1978) was the 1st non-black Graduate of Stillman College in 1978. Recruited out of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley, West Virginia by Samuel Merriweather. She was also the 1st non-black Cheerleader, the 1st non-black Associate Editor of the Campus newspaper; "The Tiger's Paw" and one of original Founders of the Stillman College Dance Team (CADA) under the direction of Dr. Betty Smith. Ms. Rizzi is currently an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Under the leadership of the College’s fourth president, Dr. Cordell Wynn (1982-1997), the appearance of the campus improved dramatically; Winsborough and John Knox Halls were renovated; and the Marie Lundy Wynn Hall and Johnson/Robinson Student Health Center were erected. The enrollment grew beyond 1,000 students; the endowment increased significantly; and the educational program was broadened to include the Stillman Management Institute and a community-service component.
On July 1, 1997, Dr. Ernest McNealey was named the fifth president. Since then, Stillman has garnered national attention in the areas of technology, athletics and scholarly pursuits. One of the leaders in wireless computing, the College received the National Innovation in Technology Award by Apple Computers and continues to be on the cusp of technological innovations in higher education. The College’s football program and marching band were revitalized and the College experienced its largest enrollment in the history of the institution. Dr. McNealey infused new life into the academic component by strengthening the curriculum, and attracting a highly qualified faculty (84% hold terminal degrees), improving admissions standards, and enhancing the value of a Stillman education with the addition of guaranteed outcome programs. Notwithstanding, in 2004 the College received its first-ever ranking among top tier schools in U.S. News and World Report and continues to hold this distinction.
The McNealey administration has transformed the campus in order to create a sense of place. A stately, iron and brick fence and formal entrances were constructed and all campus buildings were renovated. Additionally, four new structures were erected (School of Education building, Wynn Fine Arts Center, Roulhac Residence Hall, and the stadium with accompanying playing fields, buildings, and a NCAA regulation track). This sense of place is further manifested in the current construction of the Thomas E. Lyle Band Center and NCAA regulation tennis complex. With a focused vision, Stillman celebrates its past as it advances confidently into the future, embracing excellence for the common good.
Student activities
Athletics
The college's intercollegiate athletic teams, the Tigers and Lady Tigers, compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).[1] Men's Basketball (2006 SIAC Champions), Women's Basketball, Baseball (2007-2008 SIAC Champions) (2007 Division II National Champions), Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Football. In the 2009-10 season, 1 year removed from taking over a 1-27 team, head coach Michael Grant led the men's basketball team to the school's first ever appearance in the National Top 25 rankings.
Alumni
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Marching Band
The school's marching band is named the Blue Pride Marching Band.[1] In February 2010, Stillman College dedicated the brand new facility, the Thomas Lyle Band Center, named in honor of former band director Thomas Lyle, in conjunction with the Wynn Fine Arts Center. Organizations include: Kappa Kappa Psi, Kappa Omicron Chapter. Tau Beta Sigma Theta Chi Chapter.
Greek Organizations, National Panhellenic Council
Alpha Phi Alpha, Epsilon Nu Chapter (1962) Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Chapter (1963) Kappa Alpha Psi, Epsilon Epsilon Chapter (1963) Omega Psi Phi, Rho Gamma Chapter Delta Sigma Theta, Epsilon Eta Chapter (1962) Phi Beta Sigma, Gamma Chi Chapter (1962) Zeta Phi Beta, Epsilon Gamma Chapter
National Honor Societies
Beta Kappa Chi (Science) Phi Mu Alpha (Music)
Other Organizations
Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Omega Alpha Chapter. Chancellor Social Club, Chancellorette Social Club, Intelligent Black Women, Beta Phi Beta Brotherhood (f.k.a. Baseball Phi Baseball), Golden Heart Club. Gamma Delta Iota (1992), FBI Incorporated(1985).
See also
References
Additional reading
External links
- www.stillman.edu -- Official web site
- Stillman College
- Historically black universities and colleges in the United States
- Universities and colleges in Alabama
- Educational institutions established in 1896
- Council of Independent Colleges
- Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- African American history of Alabama
- Education in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Buildings and structures in Tuscaloosa, Alabama